Virtue and leading a holy life are not things that we are permitted to vacation from, every now and again. Unlike that unfortunate fig tree, there can be no off-season—never a time when we aren’t working at bearing the fruits of holiness. For the true disciple of Christ, the failure to continuously bear some fruit (even if only a little) is to be already under the curse and dominion of sin. Jesus highlights one of the crucial means to bearing some fruit, and simultaneously winning pardon for the lack of producing abundant fruit. When you stand to pray, he tells us, forgive anyone against whom you have a grievance, so that your heavenly Father may in turn forgive you your transgressions. This single, simple, action (sometimes very difficult, but mostly achievable) will spare us the fate of the fig tree and will open our hearts to that inner transformation that will be manifested in a growing abundance of fruit—not only in season, but at all times. After all, as Jesus proclaims (in today’s gospel acclamation): I chose you from the world, to go and bear fruit that will last.